Your Complete Guide
What to Do on Eid Day
From the moment you wake up to sharing the festive meal โ a step-by-step guide to making the most of Eid.
Morning of Eid
The Sunnah practices before the prayer set the tone for the whole day.
Before Fajr / After Fajr
๐Wake early & make Ghusl
Perform a full ritual bath (Ghusl) โ it is a Sunnah of the Prophet ๏ทบ to do so on both Eids. Use fragrance/perfume after bathing.
After Ghusl
๐Wear your best clothes
Putting on new or your finest clean clothes is Sunnah. The Prophet ๏ทบ had a special garment he wore only on the two Eids and Jumu'ah.
Eid al-Fitr only
๐ฌEat something sweet before the prayer
For Eid al-Fitr, eat an odd number of dates (3, 5, or 7) before leaving for the prayer. The Prophet ๏ทบ would not go out until he had eaten. For Eid al-Adha, it is Sunnah NOT to eat until after the prayer.
Walking to the prayer
๐ถRecite the Takbeerat aloud
ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ููุง ุฅููููู ุฅููููุง ุงููููุ ูุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ููููููููู ุงูุญูู ูุฏ
"Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, walillahil hamd."
Route to prayer
๐ค๏ธGo one way, return another
The Prophet ๏ทบ used to go to the Eid prayer by one route and return home by a different route. Scholars say this was to greet more people and spread the joy of Eid.
How to Perform the Eid Prayer
The Eid prayer (Salat al-Eid) is 2 rak'ahs with additional Takbeers. Here's exactly what happens.
Opening Takbeer (Takbeeratul Ihraam)
The Imam raises both hands and says "Allahu Akbar" โ this officially begins the prayer. Hands are then folded and the opening supplication (duโa al-istiftah) is recited silently.
ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑ
Allahu Akbar
6 Extra Takbeers in the First Rak'ah
After the opening, the Imam says 6 additional Takbeers (hands raised each time). Between each Takbeer there is a short pause โ you may silently praise Allah. This is what makes the Eid prayer unique.
ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑ
Allahu Akbar ร 6
Recitation of Surah al-Fatihah & another Surah
The Imam recites Surah al-Fatihah aloud, followed by another surah (commonly Surah al-A'la โ "Sabbihisma Rabbikal A'la"). Listen attentively.
ุณูุจููุญู ุงุณูู ู ุฑูุจูููู ุงููุฃูุนูููู
Surah al-A'la (87)
Rukoo', Sujood โ complete first rak'ah normally
After the recitation, the first rak'ah continues normally: bow (Rukoo'), stand, prostrate twice (Sujood), and rise for the second rak'ah.
5 Extra Takbeers at the start of the Second Rak'ah
At the beginning of the second rak'ah โ BEFORE the recitation โ the Imam says 5 additional Takbeers (hands raised each time). Then Surah al-Fatihah is recited, followed by another surah (often Surah al-Ghashiyah).
ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑุ ุงูููู ุฃูููุจูุฑ
Allahu Akbar ร 5
Complete the second rak'ah & Tasleem
The second rak'ah continues normally with Rukoo' and Sujood. The prayer ends with the Imam giving Tasleem (Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah) to the right and left.
ุงูุณููููุงู ู ุนูููููููู ู ููุฑูุญูู ูุฉู ุงูููู
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah
The Khutbah (Sermon)
After the prayer โ unlike Jumu'ah โ the Imam delivers two Eid khutbahs. Listening is Sunnah (not obligatory). The khutbah covers topics of gratitude, the significance of the Eid, and community advice.
Note: The number of extra Takbeers may vary slightly between madhabs (schools of jurisprudence). The above follows the Hanafi and Shafi'i method most common in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Consult your local imam if unsure.
After the Prayer
The prayer is just the beginning โ here's how to spend the rest of your blessed Eid day.
Exchange Eid greetings
Say "Eid Mubarak" (ุนูุฏ ู ุจุงุฑู) or "Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum" (May Allah accept from us and from you). The Companions of the Prophet ๏ทบ used this greeting.
Visit family & relatives
Strengthen family bonds on this blessed day. Visit parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. The Prophet ๏ทบ emphasised maintaining the ties of kinship.
Give Eidi to children
Elders give children gifts of money or presents โ spreading joy and making the day special for the little ones.
Perform Qurbani (Eid al-Adha)
After the prayer, those who are able perform the animal sacrifice. The meat is divided: one-third for your family, one-third for friends and neighbours, one-third for the poor.
Share a festive meal
Gather with loved ones for a celebration meal. South Asian families often make Sheer Khurma, biryani, and sweets. Invite neighbours and those who may be alone.
Give to those in need
Eid is a day of generosity. Seek out those less fortunate in your community โ distribute food, clothes, or money. The spirit of Eid is that everyone celebrates.
ุชูููุจูููู ุงูููู ู ููููุง ููู ูููููู ู
Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum
May Allah accept from us and from you